Björklund: "Time to defend Sweden's borders"

The Ukraine crisis highlights Sweden's vulnerability in the Baltic Sea, the leader of Sweden's Liberal Party, Jan Björklund, said at a Parliament press conference Tuesday.

Björklund said pumping more money into the Swedish Armed Forces is not sufficient. Instead, he called for a return to "the old doctrine" of defending Sweden's borders.

Russia's conduct in Ukraine today could be repeated in the Baltic states in the future, claimed Björklund. In such a scenario, the Swedish Baltic island of Gotland would be a key territory, he said.

Björklund added that the government led by Sweden's former Social Democrat prime minister, Göran Persson, had made a "big mistake" by pulling military presence on Gotland.

"We do not need more full-time staff, we need the possibility of calling in reservists. We need a combination of full-time staff and reservists," said Björklund, who also argued that events in Ukraine have highlighted the need for Sweden to join Nato.

Our journalism is based on credibility and impartiality. Swedish Radio is independent and not affiliated to any political, religious, financial, public or private interests.